Girl Fights Off Zilla Parishad Staffer’s Molestation Attempt, Slaps Him and Rushes to Police A 17-year-old girl in Palghar, Maharashtra, confronted a 45-year-old Zilla Parishad employee who allegedly attempted to molest her under the guise of providing scholarship information. The incident occurred on April 1 when the girl, accompanied by her sister, visited the education department of the Zilla Parishad office. During their interaction, the accused staffer allegedly touched her inappropriately while posing as a helper with scholarship details. The girl resisted the advances, reportedly slapped the accused, and immediately reported the incident to the Palghar police station. The police registered a case against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Manoj Ranade assured an investigation into the matter, stating that the employee in question was a “good worker” and that the administration would not shield him if found guilty. Ranade emphasized that the Vishaka Committee, which handles workplace sexual harassment, would examine the case alongside an internal probe. “If any wrongdoing is established, strict action will definitely be taken,” he said. The incident has sparked discussions about workplace safety and the protection of minors. The girl’s swift action in confronting the accused and seeking legal recourse highlights the importance of reporting such crimes. Authorities have urged victims to come forward and emphasized that the legal system is equipped to address such cases. The case also underscores the need for stricter oversight within public institutions to prevent abuse of power.#palghar #zilla_parishad #manoj_ranade #vishaka_committee #poCSO_act
Nagpur School Faces Vacant Teacher Posts and Surplus Adjustment Process A school in Ambhora Khurd, part of Kuhi taluka in Nagpur district, is currently dealing with two vacant teacher positions, with surplus adjustment proceedings underway, according to information shared with the Maharashtra Legislative Council. The school’s Classes 1-5 and Classes 6-8 sections each have one post remaining unfilled. A volunteer teacher has been temporarily assigned to the lower section vacancy, while the surplus adjustment mechanism is being utilized to address the other vacant post. The school education minister, Dadadji Bhuse, clarified the situation during a meeting with legislators. He stated that the 2025-26 sanction process for teacher positions has been finalized, and appointments for the vacant roles will be made through the surplus adjustment process. The volunteer teacher placed in the lower section vacancy is from the Zilla Parishad census, indicating a temporary measure to ensure continuity in education. MLCs Prasad Lad, Pravin Derekar, Uma Khapre, Chitra Wagh, Niranjan Davkhare, Dr Parinay Fuke, and Sadashiv Khot raised questions about the placement of 26 trainees under the CM Yuva Karyaprasikshan Yojana at the school and whether students in Classes 1-7 were facing educational challenges. The minister explained that the 26 trainees were allocated to Zilla Parishad schools across Kuhi taluka, not exclusively for Ambhora Khurd school. The surplus adjustment process involves redistributing teacher positions to address shortages in certain areas while managing excess capacity in others. This mechanism is part of broader efforts to balance staffing across schools and ensure equitable resource distribution.#nagpur_district #zilla_parishad #ambhora_khurd #kuhi_taluka #didadji_bhuse
Maha Cuisine Draws Crowd At Saras Expo The Mahalaxmi Saras 2026 exhibition, organized by the Zilla Parishad, transformed the Reshimbagh ground in Nagpur into a bustling hub of culinary activity from March 11 to March 22. The event, featuring over 400 stalls, showcased the diverse flavors of Maharashtra, with female entrepreneurs at the forefront. Sales during the exhibition reached a staggering 10 crore, highlighting the economic impact of the gathering. Stalls from across the state, including Kolhapur and Alibaug, brought their regional specialties to the event, creating a vibrant tapestry of tastes. Sangeeta, a vendor from Pune, highlighted the popularity of dishes like ‘tamda rassa’, ‘pandhra rassa’, and seafood, prepared with traditional Punjabi masalas. To maintain authenticity, her team sourced fresh fish and crabs daily from Pune. Similarly, the Kolhapuri stall, supported by the Umed Foundation, drew large crowds for its biryani. The owners noted the event’s role in boosting their household income, emphasizing its significance as a platform for economic upliftment. A group from Chandrapur, led by Ruplata Upre, showcased ‘matka roti’, receiving positive feedback despite the challenges of competing in a crowded market. Rupali, a participant, emphasized that the exhibition provided a confidence boost, allowing vendors to refine their strategies. Ashwini Thakre from Dhule, specializing in Khandeshi cuisine, adjusted her offerings to focus on vegetarian items due to the high number of non-veg stalls. The event also faced logistical challenges. Vaishali Rajwade from Washim described an initial slow start, but the demand for her biryani grew as visitors traveled from far distances.#kolkata #zilla_parishad #reshimbagh #mahalaxmi_saras_2026 #umed_foundation
Mahalakshmi Saras Expo Drives Over Rs5 Crore in Sales During Opening Week The state-level Mahalakshmi Saras 2026 exhibition, held in Reshimbagh, Nagpur, recorded more than Rs5 crore in sales within its first week of operation, which began on March 11. The event, which showcases products crafted by women self-help groups (SHGs) across Maharashtra, has drawn significant attention from visitors. Zilla parishad chief executive officer Vinayak Mahamuni reported that the exhibition has seen consistent footfall and steady business since its inauguration. Average daily sales have reached approximately Rs50 lakh, with Sunday alone contributing Rs92 lakh, the highest single-day revenue recorded so far. Officials highlighted that food stalls have become the most popular attraction at the expo, with traditional items such as snacks, pickles, spices, and ready-to-eat products receiving the most patronage. The success of the event underscores the growing interest in locally made goods and the role of women-led collectives in driving economic activity. The exhibition’s focus on promoting handmade crafts and regional specialties has not only boosted sales but also provided a platform for artisans to reach a wider audience. The expo’s strong performance reflects the community’s enthusiasm for supporting grassroots initiatives and preserving cultural heritage through commerce. As the event continues, organizers remain optimistic about its potential to foster sustainable livelihoods and strengthen regional economic ties.#nagpur #zilla_parishad #mahalakshmi_saras_2026 #reshimbagh #vinayak_mahamuni
District clears ₹83cr plan to bolster rural water supply ahead of summer The Nagpur district administration has approved a ₹82.90 crore initiative to enhance drinking water infrastructure in rural areas ahead of the upcoming summer season. The plan, prepared by the Rural Water Supply Department of the Zilla Parishad, aims to address severe water stress by strengthening water storage and distribution systems. Initially, a ₹79 crore proposal was submitted, but officials requested an expanded plan due to rising demand for water. The revised project, totaling ₹83 crore, includes the construction of new overhead water storage tanks, repair and renovation of existing wells, maintenance of borewells, and upgrades to village-level water distribution networks. Officials highlighted that rural areas face recurring shortages during summer due to declining groundwater levels and rising temperatures. The Rural Water Supply Department estimated that 1,170 villages in the district could experience water scarcity during the summer months. To mitigate this, a detailed action plan was developed, encompassing 489 repair works under piped water schemes, drilling of 153 new borewells, and repair of 1,407 existing wells. Additional measures include the installation of 52 temporary tap connections, reboring of 196 public wells, and tanker-based water supply in 97 villages with acute shortages. The plan also involves acquiring water from 339 private wells and recharging 170 water sources to improve groundwater availability. A total of 2,903 works have been identified across the district as part of the summer preparedness strategy. Regular monitoring of water availability in vulnerable villages will be conducted to ensure timely interventions if shortages worsen.#nagpur_district #rural_water_supply_department #zilla_parishad #summer_season #water_scarcity
